“I think one big milestone for SUS definitely was back in 2015, where we got the Student Union Building. It was a dream for many, and it’s been happening on a lot of different campuses.”
SUS is also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Student Union Building (SUB) being open as a hub for UFV campus services including Fair Grounds Cafe, CIVL Radio, and The Cascade.
“It made an open, safe space for students to come, hang out, just chill, [and] do more student events. It invited other people that are not students to do more events in the SUB for the UFV students.”
SUS currently has 34 employees including four student executives and nine student representatives at large. Faheem explained that they run multiple programs including “Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)” which promotes transparency by labelling courses which require no additional fee with a “ZTC” symbol, helping students to plan their budgets accordingly.
“The logo means that you don’t have to pay anything once you register for that course. There’s nothing on top of tuition, which is one of the biggest barriers for students.”
Faheem mentioned that SUS is continuing to advocate for the Fraser Valley Express Route 66 in an effort to add a student-friendly price for the route onto the U-Pass.
SUS also put on engagement-driven events including Kickback, Backyard Flix, Bunny Yoga, and Cultural Market. Faheem said that nearly 60 clubs and associations are under SUS, and they host activities to help foster community on campus.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how they build community on campus and how they make everything so seamless for students.”
Faheem finds the SUS’Angel Tree Program initiative to be the most heartwarming. During registration, student parents of children under 16 can request their kids’ wishes. Anyone can sponsor the Angels and drop off the gifts at SUS’ office. Faheem said that student parents then collect the gifts during the pickup period.
“It happens during the holiday season, and it brings those magical connections in our UFV community. It’s so beautiful that you don’t know who is sponsoring your child’s gift, and you don’t know who you’re sponsoring.”
The Angel Tree Program has currently helped over 400 kids from the UFV community. SUS highlighted a testimonial on their website from a student parent expressing how the program helped support their family during the holidays.
“My children have been so blessed by this program. I want to thank you for taking the time to love on them through this extremely busy and needy season of life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart and God Bless you!”
While registration is now closed, sponsorships are open until Dec. 3. Faheem encourages everyone to participate and help make the holiday season more precious.
“It is one of the most beautiful things you can do. This is the way you give back to the community during the time where everybody’s celebrating with their loved ones.”
Faheem believes that true giving should come from honest intentions and lies in quiet acts of kindness.
“The most beautiful, genuine, authentic way of giving [is] when you give something to someone without expecting anything in return because that’s [when] you’re doing it out of your good heart.”
Faheem said there are multiple ways students can share their feedback and raise concerns including SUS’s Instagram, emails, and informal meetings with the president at ‘Chai with Bilal.’ He emphasized that even if the concern is outside SUS’ jurisdiction, the team connects students with the right people who can support them.
“This is what SUS does … We are there for the pretty part, but we’re also there for the ugly part. If there is anything that students want to ask us, they can come.”
Faheem reflected that while SUS continues to evolve, they stay true to their mission.
“Every year you have four different people that lead the organization, with the staff team, the volunteers, and the students. Every year you get new students and everybody brings in their different perspectives, but SUS remains the same.”
As SUS marks its 30th year, Faheem feels honoured to serve as its president. He is optimistic about the future of the society and encourages the future leaders to take care of this organization with the same dedication.
“You can do and achieve so much with this organization. Give it your all and it’s one of the best things that you can do at UFV while being a student. If you’ve got this opportunity and if students have shown their trust in you, then live up to that.”
